June 22, 2011

24/7

Twitter.  Facebook.  Email.
Gmail.  Blogs.  Internet.

Computers.  Cell Phones.
Blackberries.  Ipods.


Always available.  Always on call.  24/7.
No end.  No break.  No rest.  No peace.


B.U.T.

We are commanded to *be still and know*...
How is this possible, unless we are intentional about the time
spent in front of these screens?
Intentional about time spent at HIS feet?

Some of my online friends have discontinued blogging.
Some have burned out.  Others have decided it's too
costly for a variety of reasons.

I understand.

I don't Tweet.  I just deactivated my Facebook.
I don't have a Blackberry or an Ipod.
We do have a cell ~ it is usually turned off. :)

I do have Email and Gmail.  I do have a blog ~
(if you are here...you are aware of that)!
But, I don't want any of these things to control me.
I want to be in control of them.

By God's Grace.

HE is able.  I look to HIM for the strength
to keep things in balance.  Do I do it perfectly?  No.
Am I seeking to follow HIM in it all?  Yes.


How do you manage your online life?
What safeguards do you have in place so it doesn't overtake you?
It would be a blessing to read how you are handling it.
I'm sure many will be encouraged.  Me included.

May the LORD help us all to live for HIS glory in everything.
Might we be pleasing to HIM in all that we do.

By HIS Grace.

Many Blessings, Camille


*Update ~ My husband sent me this link...
good food for thought!

20 comments:

Cheesemakin' Mamma said...

God has really worked on me with this. When I first started blogging, I was a maniac. Now, I post only when I have time and I usually schedule out posts so that I'm not feeling the pressure to post even when I don't have time. I've learned that the world will be fine if they don't hear from me for awhile, LOL. Also, I pretty much am only visiting blogs of those who leave comments, that has cut down my blogging time, too. I get less comments now because of it, but I've learned not to live and die by the amount of comments I get. That is NOT where my self worth lies. My acceptance and approval have to come from Jesus, not man. I still struggle from time to time, but I can tell that it doesn't have the hold on me that it once did, Praise be to God!

Cinnamon said...

Sweet Camille, I am always encouraged coming here to read your words.

It's funny before last year I only got online to blog. I do not like sitting at the computer. I did not have a facebook until our oldest son got one. It was our way to visit.

Then when John was activated and overseas Facebook became the ONLY way I could communicate with my husband. Now the computer is ON all the time. We never know when he will call and so far the Lord has graciously allowed us to just happen to see him online trying to get a hold of us.

When he gets home I plan on unplugging and hugging my husband 24/7 :-)

Not much help am I? :-)

~Cinnamon

Jill said...

Camille,

How true this is! It seems nowadays we're always plugged in! I feel like everything revolves around the computer, paying bills, lesson plans for the girls, socializing, blogging and my school work to name a few. It does get exhausting, especially when I find myself up late at night trying to catch up. Then wonder why I'm tired because I get no sleep. Seems hard to scale back and reflect. I'd love to hear how others do this. :-)

Blessings,
Jill

Grandmabeckyl.blogspot said...

Camille, thanks for posting! I have a cell phone and that's it. Rarely do I text. I love to blog but have realized that it's time consuming and I find myself on the computer alot. I have started giving myself time limits on the computer. If I don't I will spend all my time there and not working on my house and enjoying other things, like mending and sewing and knitting or.reading God's word or..you know what I mean. I nearly quit blogging but I do enjoy it and have a good following after almost 2 years. I hope I can give inspiration to people in my words and joy in my photography! Hugs!

His bondservant said...

Great post Camille. I struggle with this too. We don't have Ipods, blackberries, and I don't do twitter. I do have FB...but I am on there rarely. I just use it to keep up with friends here and there, but don't post often. But, I totally understand. Sometimes I think of giving up blogging too, but I try to do things in moderation...and if I don't blog for a week or two...that's okay. I continue to pray and ask the Lord what He wants...if I feel He tells me it is time to quit...then I will. Until then, I will blog sporadically! Take care my friend, Jackie

Chelle said...

Couldn't agree more. We haven't had cell phones for very long. We finally came out of the dark ages, but we still leave them at home sometimes. If people don't get you at home they always try the other. I only have a blog and facebook, but facebook can get reall dicouraging. I might get rid of that soon. Thanks for your post.

Patty said...

Our time can certainly be consumed easily with all there is out there. I have a blog but have blogged very little over the past several months. Sometimes life causes or calls for a break. I am glad you are still blogging as I enjoy stopping over and enjoy you stopping by. God bless.

Wanting What I Have said...

What a great post! I decided long ago that one "online" activity was enough for me. I blog and that is it. No tweeting or facebooking for me. I recently got a cell phone --a smart phone. At first I worried about getting things out of balance...but I've found that with the ability to check blogs through google reader on my phone, my time spent at the computer is far less. I am able to read blogs at various times during the day when I otherwise wouldn't. It's been a blessing to us. ReadIng on the phone has also limited my comment leaving, which has saved me a lot of time. I also purge my reading list from time to time.

Lisa said...

Honestly, I don't have any great ideas because it's something I'm struggling with at the moment myself.

Farmgirl said...

Hi Camille-
it is true that all these "extra" things can take time away from all that is important, but I believe the key is in the managing. Although I don't do it, it would be very beneficial to set aside a time for being on the computer and sticking to it. That's how I am when I sit down with a good book - it's a treat for 15 or 20 minutes, then it's probably time to get something else done!

Enjoy the rest of the week my friend!

Camille said...

Dear Jackie (Cheesemakin') ~ I know the LORD has taught you much on this my friend and it is a blessing to read of your journey. I agree...it really is not where our self worth lies...what a lovely perspective the LORD has given you! Thank you for sharing your thoughts here...I am sure they will be a blessing to others. :)

Dear Cinnamon ~ I would certainly be doing the same thing my friend! And yes, how wonderful it will be to have your John HOME with you...24/7!! God is indeed Good to lead us along so gently in this life...don't you think? I am so looking forward to your husband's homecoming...what a joyful time that will be! :)

Dear Jill ~ What a challenge it can be when so much of life revolves around the computer...I feel for you my friend! How busy your lives are! I am thankful for the technology, but, it has its drawbacks too. What a blessing it is that as we seek the LORD for wisdom HE gives it! Hang in there! :)

Dear Becky ~ Your photography is lovely and it's wonderful that you continue to blog to share the love of the LORD with others. HE is the Reason for life and living. May HE continue to give us all grace to do what HE calls us to day by day! I think it's a very good idea to set aside a particular time for the computer...and then leave it when the times up! Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us here. :)

Dear Jackie (Bondservant) ~ It is a blessing that you do blog...we understand the need for it to be *sporadic* at times. How wonderful that the LORD is leading you in life (including posting and sharing in the blog world)...HE is so Good to us, isn't HE? It's lovely to read that you pray about your blogging...that is an encouragement to my heart my friend. :)

Dear Chelle ~ I have found some things about FB to be discouraging too...but, the LORD is so gracious to show us what really matters, isn't HE? I stopped doing FB because it was not beneficial for the time it could potentially take...I'm trying to *simplify* and *streamline* my life...and withdrawing from FB was one way to accomplish that. :)

Dear Patty ~ It's lovely to hear from you, as always. Thank you for your encouraging words and for sharing your thoughts on this topic. How wonderful that it is the LORD we serve and HE is the ONE we seek to please. Nothing else really matters, does it? :)

Dear Jennifer ~ I know you have this in balance my friend...and it is a blessing to me to observe! How Great our God is to care for us in these ways...don't you think? I appreciate your input here...I'm sure it will be a blessing to others too. :)

Dear Lisa ~ Oh how tricky it can be! I found it much more difficult in the *early* days of blogging. But, as time goes on, it seems to be easier to keep in its proper place. It's all of the Grace of our Precious Saviour...day by day...what a wonderful thing it is to have HIM to turn to for wisdom. What a blessing that HE promises to give us the wisdom and grace for whatever it is we face. (James 1:5) Isn't our LORD Wonderful??

Dear Heather ~ Ah yes, the *timer* method! How good that idea is! I have done that before and it is a good way to keep accountable. I also have made myself accountable to my husband...that's a good method too. Yes, I agree...balance and moderation is the key! With the LORD's Grace and enabling each step of the way! :)

Thank you each one for sharing your thoughts, ideas and suggestions here...I am sure many will be blessed! Have a lovely weekend!

In HIS Love,
Camille

Heather@Cultivated Lives said...

I take periodic breaks and totally cut out my screen time. It is so refreshing and nice. Last year we went away for a week to a cabin that had no cell phone coverage or internet. It was so nice to be completely unplugged for a whole week and just enjoy the beautiful outdoors.

I read that article you posted a few days ago (ironically, someone posted it on facebook) and was thanking God for the blessing of having my power cord for my laptop recently break. With small children, I don't have the freedom to come upstairs and spend time on the computer during the day... I've found that I'm more focused and productive.

I've tried different things over the years. Sometimes, I set time limits for myself and that helps me focus during my online time. In other seasons, I've declared certain days screen free.

All we have are cell phones, but I don't get internet, so no temptation there.

As always, thank you for your beautiful grace filled, thoughtful posts.

Camille said...

Dear Heather ~ I enjoyed reading what you do to keep it all in check...what a blessing to have control over *it* and not have *it* control you! God is good to us, isn't HE? Ahhh....that cabin week sounds like it was lovely! And yes, limiting screen time is wise and necessary. Thank you for your input here...I'm sure it will give others some good ideas and encouragement. :)

Many blessings,
Camille

Ann at eightacresofeden said...

Well I just popped over to catch up after a week with no phone or internet when our cable was being repaired and the telephone company had forgotten to reconnect us! So a very apt post indeed. It was quite nice to have a break but I really did feel disconnected and it made me aware of how much I have come to depend on the internet for all manner of things from checking prices to printing off homeschool worksheets and recipes but blogging was what I missed the most. I have to be so careful about how much time I give to this - it can be a real distraction. So I have a few self imposed guidelines and I'm giving thought to my own future posts - I tend to put in a lot of thought and effort into them and that can be time consuming. When it comes to reading blogs, oh my goodness, there are so many great blogs on so many subjects. It is like being a kid in a candy store. So many favourites, lots of temptations and we all love to pick and mix! Mind you, I felt better after reading about one lady who confessed to having over 800 blogs on her blogroll and thought she should remove a few! I find that for blogs you visit on a regular basis for inspiration rather than friendship(though some such as your own offer both!)it is best just to have one or two per subject and only read the updates that interest you the most. E.g I don't knit therefore I don't bother reading the knitting posts on a homesteading blog I visit. Then there are the blogs of the people I met early on in blogging with whom I share much in common such as yourself. I read almost every post to keep in touch. When it comes to commenting the Lord spoke to me about my motive - did I just want to be heard? Did it need to be said or repeated? Did this person really need another comment? I'm now choosing to only occasionally comment or not comment at all at the popular blogs. It is probably a wiser use of our time to leave a short encouraging comment at the blog of someone who only has a few followers than have our say at a post that has already attracted numerous comments.
My next post is going to be on the distracted mother and I will be drawing from my own experiences - the things that pulled me away from the home such as over involvement in church ministry and of course the distraction of technology! Alas, I have found that the wise and sensible measure of having your family computer in a central location means it is always accessible - unless of course the telephone company forgets to reconnect your line!

Camille said...

Dear Ann ~ Wonderful input my friend...thank you for taking the time to add your thoughts...I'm sure they will be a blessing to others. Yes, indeed...we must be wise with this technology! Oh that we would really LIVE our lives IN the moment for the glory of the LORD! HE will enable us to keep it all in balance...what a blessing that we can look to HIM each step of the way. :)

Many blessings,
Camille

Lois said...

This is a great and timely message, Camille! I've had facebook less than a year. I did NOT want it, but my daughter asked if she could have an account, and I wanted to check out what it was all about. I have connected with friends from grade school, the military, college, and one of the restrictions I put on it for my daughter, is that people should know you are a Christian! No games, and no joining groups. Since I don't blog (I haven't figured out how yet!) my FB is my blog of sorts.

I have email, and we all have cell phones because we don't have a home phone. I pay for texting, so I do very little except to "talk" to my kids. And, until 4 years ago, we didn't even have internet. It's hard to avoid the internet altogether because everything is tied to it. My 2 kids have to use the computer for their math program, and for a writing course. Sometimes there is a line at the computer! My son thinks we should just get another one. (Ha) My daughter has a lap top, but she can't use the net at home with our service. I don't have iPhone, iPod, smart phone, twitter, tweet, Kindle, whatever. Technology changes so fast, I think everything would be outdated by next week!

I will close with an amusing verse the Lord showed me during my quiet time this morning. Isaiah 38:14 "Like a swallow, like a crane, so I twitter." NASB Praise God we will see Him soon FACE TO FACE! I cling to that promise.

Blessings to you.

The Adventures of a Simple Life said...

Oh Camille! This has been on my heart! Thus why I haven't been blogging consistently or checking on my "blog" friends!

I have been telling myself that this technology is damaging, yet I get pulled in.

So, my thoughts are this...I want to limit my time.Set goals. For example: Once I finish schooling the kids and finished lunch...then I can check the computer. Limit to getting on it a couple of times a day for "quick" checks on e-mail, etc...

Each time I am tempted to go on the computer, I try to pray instead. Use that time to pray for friends, family, politicians, trials,whatever is on my heart.

I fail at this often, yet I know all things are possible through Christ. I just need to die to my wicked and ugly flesh!

Thanks for the encouraging and convicting post. You are such an inspiration to many!

Love,
Christine

The Adventures of a Simple Life said...

Just read the article your husband recommended! Good article! It truly is sad how the world can't sit still anymore.
May we, as Christians, not be guilty of this, for one, we need to sit, be still and hear God, and also so we are light to the world that we don't need or want this technology to fill our times and mind, we don't want to be conformed to this world, but conformed to the likeness of Christ. And when we are on the computer too much, this is less Christ and more world.

Ok, my tome is done. Sorry I have taken up so much space!!!

Christine

The Adventures of a Simple Life said...

One more thing...during naps and quiet times...instead of getting on the computer to lurk around...turn on a sermon and fill our minds with God's Word and Truth...sermonaudio is a good place to start.

I am now going to go find a sermon to listen to while I cook dinner.

Be Blessed.

Camille said...

Dear Lois ~ I hear you! I only got online because we began homeschool...and I dreaded *having* to email (something new to me at the time) the support teacher twice per week. How life has changed! Oh what a blessing to look to the LORD for balance in all of life...HE indeed is gracious and loving to us, don't you think? It does not have to have a hold on us...really, it doesn't! Your comment blessed me today...thank you. :)

Dear Christine ~ Do not ever apologise for taking up *too much space*...it was all worthwhile and I am sure will bless many! I like your ideas and suggestions...we *love* sermon audio too!! What a wonderful blessing it is to have access to such amazing materials...God is so Good!! It's been lovely to hear from you today my friend. Never feel like you have to visit...only come by as you are able when all other areas of life are taken care of. I DO understand! :)

Have a lovely weekend Lois and Christine!

In HIS Love,
Camille